of Toronto, Mississauga to broaden the study of traditional subjects to enhance the understanding and include active engagement of South Asian communities. University of Waterloo Vasu is a seed contributor to the ‘India Initiative’, a joint undertaking between The University of Waterloo and the Canada India Foundation for the advancement of Canada's research capacity in studying the politics, economy and social conditions of contemporary India, and the bilateral relationship between the countries. The initiative's planned $10 million endowment will fund endowed CIF Chairs for Waterloo faculty members, Visiting Chairs for India scholars, CIF Fellows, graduate student fellowships, and engagement with researchers and faculty at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. The initiative was made possible in collaboration with CIF's National Convenor Aditya Jha, Waterloo's Dean Ken Coates and others. McMaster University Vasu and his wife Dr. Jaya Chanchlani have set up a $10 million fund (through $1 million seed) to set up the Chanchlani Research Centre at McMaster University. This centre will encourage scientists to find environmental and genetic causes of cardio vascular diseases widely prevalent within South Asians and those of South Asian origin in Canada. He has also endowed $250,000 at McMaster to give every year Chanchlani Global Health Research Award along with $25,000 for the best global research for heart and diabetes among South Asians. Saluting fallen Canadian Armed Forces In September 2010, Chanchlani along with fellow businessmen Ajit Someshwar and Bhupinder Khalsa donated a maple-leaf-shaped monument to the Canadian Armed Forces for their exemplary service as global peace-keepers. The unveiling ceremony was attended by a large number of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in their ceremonial attire, as well as top leaders including defence minister Peter Mackay, opposition leader Michael Ignatieff, and finance minister Jim Flaherty. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind Chanchlani has set up the CNIB Chanchlani Global Vision Research Award to recognize the best researcher in the field of vision care and vision enablement, worldwide. The $100,000 endowment and award was announced at a special reception in Toronto on April 3, 2011. Others Vasu has sponsored a student home (through AIM For Seva) in Hoshangabad, India for poor students from surrounding 25 villages to stay there. According to the website, 149 children have benefited from this hostel. Awards and recognition Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award 2011, Global Indian Origin South Asian Person of